Can You Guess Who My Leadership Role Model Is?

I have had the fortune of working with incredibly talented leaders, who ranged from top leaders in Fortune 200 companies, to esteemed leaders of local non-profit organizations.  They have traits that I admire greatly, and they have been inspirational in varying ways.

However, a role model does even more. A role model comprehensively embodies who we aspire to be.  When I was asked a few years ago who my role model for leadership was, it took me a few seconds to scan my memory, and then I surprised myself with who I arrived at.  Several years later, she still holds this spot.

What made her rise up as a true role model?  It’s the combination of multiple factors…

• The way she carries herself is authentic and naturally shows quiet confidence and humility.   You feel this from her every day. She’s sure of taking whatever comes her way, and she’s also seeking feedback (from others or from her own observation) of where her opportunities are.  Her calm reassurances that all will be fine bring confidence to all around her.
• She manages herself masterfully and brings a sense of calm and predictability to the day. Regardless of the crazy that might be going on in her world, she is the same leader: calm, warm, focused, positive, and present with you.  No one around her worries about which version of this leader will show up on a given day.
• Her people easily, gladly follow her. She can corral chaos with a simple and relatively soft, “My friends.”  Because her followers feel her genuine care for them, they feel safe with her in all ways, and they utterly trust her, no shouting, repetition, sticks or carrots are needed. Wouldn’t it be nice for more business leaders to be able to calm their chaos and redirect their people so simply?
• She is a consummate coach – her people will do anything for her. They feel how much she cares for them, and how much she wants the best for them, and they want the best for themselves as well.  One never feels  disciplined or even corrected, but simply coached and supported to do ever better.

When I think of the myriad of leadership challenges I have faced, and the ones I help my clients work through, I marvel at how many issues can be resolved when one leads as she does.

She watches carefully and cares deeply. Others follow gladly, and relish how they grow with her guidance.  

This remarkable leader is Ms. Jenkins, my oldest child’s teacher at ages 2-2.5 years, and again at 3-3.5 years old.  She works at a local daycare.  She’s never had a leadership class, and I bet that she doesn’t even think of herself as a leader.  I so appreciate the joy, love and development that she shared with my child, and the inspiration that she still provides me with today.
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Here’s to the power of beautiful leadership, and to finding it in unexpected places.